Last week saw the end of an era in home video, and yet another sign that the age of digital video is firmly upon us.

JVC announced last week that they are no longer making standalone VCR units, and they are the last major manufacturer to do so. For all intents and purposes, the VCR, a staple in home entertainment in the 70s, 80s and early 90s is done.

If you've still got a stack of VHS tapes, don't fret. JVC and other manufacturers are still making Combination units that feature DVD players and VHS players in one machine. Old formats die hard, so there will still be players available second-hand and through resources like eBay for many years to come. In fact, if you dig hard enough you can turn up new 8-track players, so you might be good for years to come.

However, it's certainly a sign that the age of digital is upon us. With this news and the upcoming digital TV transition, any marketing done on VHS tapes is going to have less and less reach as time goes on. If you haven't done so already, it's time to convert those old tapes to DVD or some other digital format.

If you need help getting your marketing materials (or even your old home movies) up to the latest standards, contact Video Transfer today. We have the tools and technology to help you.

Labels: jvc, vcr, vhs, vhs player, vhs tapes

Whenever embarking on any advertising venture, it's nice to track the return on your investment. Tracking helps you decide if that method of advertising was effective and what can be improved.

However, when marketing with DVD or CD, it can be harder to get direct feedback on your advertising. It can be difficult to get a gauge on whether your video was played or just tossed aside.

While DVD and CDs have been shown to be memorable and effective for advertising, how can you, the advertiser, track the success of that marketing?

It's not as difficult as you think. First, we have new software available that can track views of your DVD. It can be hard coded into your presentation and will let you know when it is watched. If you choose not to go that route, there are other ways to successfully track the success of your DVD Marketing campaign.

The key to tracking DVD and CD marketing is to compel your audience to respond to you via some more traditional methods like phone or Internet, and then make that mode of response unique to your advertising campaign.

For example, set up an email address or Webpage that is entirely unique and not listed anywhere else but on your DVD. Then, you can track hits to that email address or page. You can also set up separate phone numbers or extensions used exclusively on your DVD.

Coupon codes can also work to track your DVD. Simply offer a small discount via a code, and then track the uses of that code.

All of these techniques can take your DVD marketing to the next level. Contact VTI today for all your CD and DVD replication needs.

Labels: dvd, dvd markting, dvd replication, marketing tips, marketing tracking

We believe that using multimedia for your business can help your stand out from the crowd. Here are three creative ways to use DVD for your business and marketing needs.

1. Create a video catalog
Do you offer products with a lot of visual appeal and tons of features? Then perhaps using a DVD to create a unique catalog would be of use to your customers. Allow them to browse your products and see and explore their feature set on video. This can be like a ticket for your salespeople into their living room, and can help you stand out from the catalogs and mailings they receive. Put your product on display with DVD.

2. Create a Video Manual
Some people are visual learners, and text instructions and manuals are hard for them to follow. Much in the same way a video catalog could be great for your customers, so might a video manual. If you're selling a unique product that requires learning a few tricks to use, then a video manual can allow you to show your new customers how to use the product effectively. This can actually be a selling point to some as it can feel like your product is coming with its own teacher.

3. The DVD Business Card
CD-Rom business cards have become a tool for many businessmen in recent years. A DVD business card is just taking this to the next level. Allow your salespeople to hand out the DVD with their card or on its own. The DVD can show them a tour of the facilities, introduce the sales staff, and even feature the catalog idea mentioned above.

In business, it is often those that get noticed that get the sale. Creatively using DVD and video in your marketing can help you grab and hold the attention of prospective customers.

Labels: dvd, dvd business card, dvd manual, dvd product catalog, video catalog

We've spent some extensive time here on the blog discussing video standards and formats recently. We've been particularly focused on HD formats and standards. Let's take a step back and take a look at the two most common video standards in the world: PAL and NTSC.

PAL and NTSC are the video and broadcast standards used throughout the world. NTSC is primarily the North American standard, and PAL is mostly associated with Europe and Asia. The two standards are different enough to present a lot of problems when trying to convert between the two.

Have you ever exchanged home videos with a relative in another country only to discover that the videos will not play? That's likely due to the differences between PAL and NTSC.

The main differences between the two actually stem from the power used for the television and video displays. NTSC is powered by a 60 hertz source, and PAL is powered by a 50hz source. The technical implication of this is that the video is output at 60 and 50 fields per second, and once it's interlaced, it results in NTSC producing 30 frames per second, and PAL producing 25 frames per second.

Also, PAL and NTSC use different resolutions. PAL broadcasts contain 625 lines of resolution, while NTSC contains only 525.

When trying to play PAL media on an NTSC set or vice versa, strange things can happen from no video at all to clipped frame rates, and distorted images.

There are different methods of conversion that accomplish the PAL/NTSC standards change and they vary in quality considerably. The top-of-the-line broadcast converter is an Alchemist Ph C converter manufactured by Snell & Wilcox. We own two of these along with a few others to cover all the conversion requirements. If you have PAL or NTSC video that needs to be converted, contact us today. We have the high-end tools along with twenty-two years of experience converting video for the most discerning broadcast and corporate clients in the world.

Labels: alchemist ph c, fields, interlaced, NTSC, PAL